The dietary experts who have charge of these matters do this with tables similar to the one given above. In domestic feeding arrangements, although usually the choice of foods is determined by the state of the markets, the preferences of the various members of the family, and the abilities of the cook, it is astonishing how closely the result will correspond in the long run to the figures here given. Most of us, without any effort on our part to do so, eat a diet which is made up week in and week out in just about the proportions here given. The experience of ourselves and of all our ancestors indicates that these are the correct proportions for the human race. In talking about metabolism thus far we have spoken as though the metabolism of the body at rest were about the same day in and day out regardless of conditions. This is true in the main for healthy persons; there is one condition which may bring about a change in the resting metabolism of health which must be mentioned, and one or two coming under the category of disease about which also something must be said. The change in resting metabolism that comes about in health is one that is seen when the diet contains an especially large percentage of protein. For some reason which we do not understand the digestion, absorption, and utilization of protein stimulate the resting metabolism so that during the time that this protein is being used the metabolism is higher than at other times. The curious thing about it is that the increase of metabolism is not just enough to take care of the protein itself, but goes so far to cause sugars or even fats to be burned at a more rapid rate than usual. This fact is taken advantage of in treatment for reducing flesh; where one lays on flesh it is evident that more food has been taken than was required for metabolism so that the surplus has been stored in the form of fat. The only way to reduce the weight is to compel the body to burn up that stored fat. In theory the simplest way to do this is simply to starve. If starvation is combined with very vigorous exercise, the reduction of weight is bound to be rapid, since metabolism cannot be carried on without fuel, and if not enough fuel is supplied in the form of food, the body will have to furnish it and the stored fat is the place from which it will be taken. Unfortunately this is much simpler in theory than it is in practice. A good deal of discomfort and sometimes even disturbance of health results from too drastic efforts to reduce the weight by starvation. It is perfectly feasible to do it by adopting and sticking to a practice of never eating quite enough. This is a perfectly successful method, but requires great strength of will to carry it out. Probably the easiest way to reduce weight is to combine self-denial with a diet which consists chiefly of protein. Thus the stimulating effect upon metabolism is obtained and the result will be a gradual burning away of the body fat. The selection of